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Cerebral Hemispheres

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The human brain, a complex organ, is functionally divided into two cerebral hemispheres—left and right. These hemispheres are interconnected by a structure of paramount importance, the corpus callosum. This substantial bundle of neural fibers is not just a bridge between the hemispheres but a crucial element for the brain's comprehensive functioning. It enables efficient communication between the two hemispheres, allowing each side of the brain to control and receive sensory and motor...

Cerebrum: Anatomical Overview I

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The main and largest component of the human brain is the cerebrum. The cerebrum consists of two main parts: the cerebral cortex, an outer layer with wrinkles or folds known as gyri and shallow grooves called sulci, and a deeper region beneath it. The cerebrum divides into two distinct hemispheres and contains five different lobes: the frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital, and insula. The central sulcus separates the frontal and parietal lobes and two functionally important gyri — the...

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Anatomy of the Brain: Ventricles

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There are hollow fluid-filled cavities known as ventricles deep inside the human brain. There are two lateral ventricles, one in each cerebral hemisphere, and each has three different projections — the anterior, inferior, and posterior horns visible from the lateral side. A thin membrane called the septum pellucidum separates the two lateral ventricles. The slender third ventricle in the diencephalon is connected to each lateral ventricle via a channel called the interventricular foramen.

Anatomy of the Brain: Major Regions

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The brain is the most complex organ in the human body. It consists of four main parts: the cerebrum, diencephalon, cerebellum, and brainstem.
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Cerebrum: Anatomical Overview II

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Each cerebral hemisphere can be divided into three main regions. The outermost region, the cerebral cortex, is a thin layer (2 to 4 millimeters thick) made up of gray matter, consisting of neuron cell bodies, dendrites, glial cells, and blood vessels. The middle region, or white matter, is primarily composed of myelinated nerve fibers organized into three types of large tracts: association fibers, commissures, and projection fibers. Association fibers connect different areas within the same...

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Symmetric Bihemispheric Postmortem Brain Cutting to Study Healthy and Pathological Brain Conditions in Humans

Symmetric Bihemispheric Postmortem Brain Cutting to Study Healthy and Pathological Brain Conditions in Humans

Published on: December 18, 2016

Asymmetries in the human brain.

Lilit Dulyan¹, Cesare Bortolami², Stephanie J Forkel³

¹Donders Institute for Brain Cognition Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Brain Connectivity and Behaviour Laboratory, Sorbonne Universities, Paris, France.

Handbook of Clinical Neurology

|March 12, 2025

Summary

This study explores white matter tract asymmetry in the human brain, revealing significant lateralization and variability. Understanding this asymmetry is key to comprehending brain function and individual differences.

Keywords:

Asymmetry Brain connections Diffusion imaging Interindividual variability Tractography White matter

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Published on: October 22, 2017

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Brain Anatomy
Connectomics

Background:

Cortical asymmetries are well-documented, but white matter connectional asymmetry is less understood.
The human brain's intricate network supports cognitive functions through interconnected cortical regions and white matter pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

To provide a comprehensive review of white matter tract asymmetry in the human brain.
To examine the lateralization and interindividual variability of 56 distinct white matter tracts.

Main Methods:

Analysis of structural characteristics and interindividual variability of white matter tracts.
Utilizing high-resolution data from the Human Connectome Project (7T HCP).

Main Results:

Detailed examination of the asymmetry in 56 distinct white matter tracts.
Updated insights into white matter tract asymmetry using advanced neuroimaging data.

Conclusions:

Significant lateralization and interindividual variability exist in white matter connections.
Further research is needed to understand the contribution of asymmetry to brain function and variability.